2017 Baltimore Ravens: Top 5 Potential X-Factors

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Danny Woodhead would be injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Danny Woodhead would be injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Danny Woodhead would be injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Danny Woodhead would be injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ravens Need X-Factors To Make The Playoffs:

The Baltimore Ravens are just like any team in the NFL. There will always be some problems the Ravens cannot completely solve. The only time a team went undefeated to win the Super Bowl was in 1972; and even those Miami Dolphins had strengths and weaknesses. Super Bowls aren’t won on paper. As it stacks up today, the Ravens are imperfect. With a strong draft they can make the best possible version of the 2017 Ravens come to life, but they will still have problems to deal with.

X-Factors are huge in the NFL. They are the difference between a close game ending in a win or a loss. They may not be the biggest superstars on the field, but they make the timely plays that make the biggest impact. A great example of a past X-Factor was Jacoby Jones. He caught the game extending hail Mary in Denver. He made plays in the Super Bowl and helped the Ravens beat the Steelers a couple of times as a kick returner. Jones wasn’t the Ravens best receiver but he was an X-Factor.

Who will be the X-Factor this year? Who will step up and make the difference? Which unsuspecting player will be the bane of the Ravens opponents in 2017?